HVAC Ductless Systems

Procurement Summary

The Contracting Officer posted a request for information on SAM.gov on 28 March 2024 with a response date of 8 April. Two responses were received, the first from UKT Air Conditioners and the units they offered did meet the Buy American Preference criteria but did not produce systems in the size and capacity required. The units provided are made for small office spaces or bedrooms. The second response from Blue Jacket Industries, which provided cut sheets on products such as Daiken, Mitsubishi, and Pioneer, have previously been reviewed by the Contracting Officer and found not compliant with the Buy American Preference. The FAA is aware of one supplier of a compliant product: Johnson Controls who is the controlling entity of Trane, York, Goodman, Coleman, and others. Trane has partnered with Mitsubishi to provide and sell VRF units under the Trane name. They admit through a letter that they do not meet the Buy American Preference requirements. They also state that none of their ductless mini-split units are produced or manufactured in the U.S. Additional market research has been conducted in the past six months through internet research and discussions with subject matter experts (SMEs) within the HVAC industry. Through these discussions and emails with SMEs, none of the ductless HVAC mini-splits in the size and capacity needed are produced or manufactured within the United States. After discussions with industry experts, they have indicated that the ductless mini-splits are expected to be another two to three years away to be compliant with the BAA requirements. The leading manufacturers are not capable of producing the ductless units in the size and capacities the FAA is needing due to new production lines and the technology to be added to the current locations within the U.S. A previous waiver was approved in June 2024 for the same type of units. Additional market research through the internet was conducted to find possible changes to the market. The market has not changed, and no BAA Compliant manufacturers have been found. Continued research was conducted on 4/29/25 on the Made in America Office website with several waivers submitted requesting the same equipment. The most recent was posted on 2/6/25 by the Dept of the Army and another posted 1/17/25 by the U.S. Coast Guard. Continued market research over the past year continues to provide the same result of no U.S. manufacturers of the Ductless HVAC Mini-Split systems as indicated from the MIAO with other agencies requesting the same types of units.

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